[ music | Radiohead – Karma Police ]
When I checked my Post Office Box on Monday, I found a lovely photocopied letter amongst my mail. This is a large scan of the letter, and this is a smaller scan. The only edit I performed was to erase my PO Box number that had been hand written above where it says “ID only”. The “ID only” part was also handwritten, but is part of the photocopy, while my individual copy had my number written on it. I’ve also retyped the letter in it’s entirety letter for letter below so you can more easily read it.
Notice how this starts out as asking you for identification. That seems reasonable enough. However, when you read the entire document, you see it’s not really interested in your identity, it’s interested in your physical address. It’s quite specific about what they will accept as ID also, excluding documents many of us would reach for first. I asked the desk clerk about it, airing my dissatisfaction, and she said it’s all related to the PATRIOT Act, saying they all have to “jump through lots of silly hoops since 9/11.” Once again, the PATRIOT Act is being used as a crowbar for the gov’t to pry further into our lives. If a terrorist is using a post office box for illegal purposes, that alone is more than enough for USPS Investigators to be called in, and even to bring in the Feds. Further, if these “evildoers” need to be tracked to their base camp, asking them isn’t likely to provide truthful results. If these guys can get fake IDs and visas and whatnot, they can use those fake documents to fake out the USPS.
This is nothing but further encroachment of legitimate citizens’ rights that does nothing to stop terrorism or illegal activities whatsoever. I can’t imagine that this kind of security theater makes anyone feel safe, and I’m sickened that this kind of crap goes on still.
POST OFFICE BOX CUSTOMER(S)
SUBJECT: UPDATING PO BOX CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Please complete the attached PS Form 1093, application for Post Office Box Service, and return it
to our office. Postal regulations require that the form contain updated and current information. We
are in the process of updating these forms and appreciate your cooperation. The updated PS Form
1093 will need to be submitted in order for us to continue to provide you with Post Office box
service. We ask that the updated PS Form 1093 be completed and returned within 14 days.
Please give the completed form to any window clerk at the post office. We will ask you to show
two types of acceptable identification, one being your photograph. The identification presented
must be current, must contain sufficient information to confirm that the box holder is who he or
she claims to be, and must show your street address. Acceptable identification includes a valid
drivers license, state personal ID (non-driver’s license), armed forces of government ID, university
or recognized corporation ID, passport, alien registration card, certificate of naturalization, current
lease or mortgage, deed of trust, voter or vehicle registration card, and home or vehicle insurance
policy. Credit cards, social security cards and birth certificates are NOT acceptable forms of
identification. Each person over the age of 18 that receives mail in the post office box should
accompany you to the post office and show two of these types of ID listed above.
We appreciate your cooperation; and apologize for the inconvenience.
Thank you for letting us meet your mailing needs. If you have questions, please contact the
Postmaster of your local Post Office.
I wouldn’t submit the form or show my ID. They have no legal right to demand it, and you don’t have to show it. The entire idea is preposterous.
Well, the form is the application for a PO Box, and if you don’t oblige, you can lose your PO Box. The legality is debatable.
look on the bottom of form 1093 it is dated august 2001, one month before 9/11